Do new F1 fans really care less about the sound and technical side of F1?

In Miami, the second part of the Formula 1 season effectively begins. Some in the paddock suggest that the season is starting again in a way, although that seems a bit exaggerated. Yes, the rules have been refined and teams have had the opportunity to develop their cars quite significantly, but that will not change everything overnight.

In terms of the competitive picture, Mercedes’ strength will not simply disappear. Not for nothing did George Russell – who did acknowledge that the team’s advantage is not infinite – say he does not expect “drastic changes” in Miami. Naturally, the focus is on the competition, above all on the upgrade packages from Ferrari and McLaren, but that does not mean everything from the first three race weekends can be thrown in the bin.

The same applies to the regulations and the tweaks ahead of Miami. Yes, the changes that have now been officially ratified by the FIA World Motor Sport Council are intended to address certain pain points (qualifying and closing speeds), but they will not fundamentally change the racing.

That would also be politically sensitive, as FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis explained to a select group of media, although there is another reason as well. Both F1 and the FIA do not see the racing itself as particularly problematic. Both parties have made it clear that, in their view, it does not require a “knee-jerk reaction”.

From a commercial perspective, that view is supported by several figures. F1 has shared that attendance numbers at the first three grands prix have increased compared to a year ago, and that the same applies to TV figures: +26% in Australia compared to last year, +32% in China and +19% in Japan.

TV viewing figures were up 26% at the season opener

Photo by: Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images

However, it should be noted that attendance figures for those early races say very little. People usually buy their tickets (well) in advance, meaning that ticket sales for Australia, China and Japan are likely primarily based on last year. For a more representative picture, we will have to wait until later this year – or, if little changes, even until next year.

During the April break, Stefano Domenicali added in an interview with Autosport that, based on the signals F1 is receiving, fans actually like the current product.

“If I see the survey of what is going on all around the world, because we are a worldwide sport, with the new fans of Formula 1, the result is magnificent,” he said. “It's great. Everybody is saying: What is going on? A lot of action, and this is what people want to see.”

The inevitable follow-up question, however, is whether that action is pure enough. Yes, the number of overtakes has increased significantly due to yo-yo racing, but those who understand the underlying factors question how artificial it is at times. One driver makes an overtake, then his battery is depleted, meaning he gets countered on the very next straight. Officially that counts as two overtakes, but it might not be the purest form of racing.

"What is going on? A lot of action, and this is what people want to see”
Stefano Domenicali

Domenicali does not share that view and responded by saying: “Some people are saying it is artificial. What is artificial? Overtaking is overtaking.”

The Italian added that the younger generation of fans above all wants to see a good show and may be less interested in the technical backgrounds of it. Moreover, they have come into the sport in a different way compared to some of the older fans.

What McLaren’s show run and the Monaco Historic GP reveal

Although it is true that initiatives such as Drive to Survive and F1: The Movie have brought a new audience to the sport – younger fans and also more women – the reality appears to be somewhat more nuanced than portrayed.

Yes, new fans do not necessarily carry the nostalgic image of V10 or V12 engines from the past, but the two do not have to be mutually exclusive. That has recently been evident at two events: the Historic Grand Prix in Monaco and the show run that McLaren staged in Miami ahead of this race weekend.

The latter event drew several thousand people to Coconut Grove on Wednesday evening for demo runs with some iconic cars. Bruno Senna drove Ayrton Senna’s 1991 McLaren, Emerson Fittipaldi took the wheel of the M23, and Mika Hakkinen completed several laps in his 1999 championship-winning car. The current drivers were also involved, with Oscar Piastri notably driving Lewis Hamilton’s 2008 machine.

Oscar Piastri drove Lewis Hamilton's MP4-23 at an event in Miami

Photo by: Andrew Ferraro / Motorsport Images

A significant part of the crowd consisted of younger fans, and they clearly appreciated all the history and the more than impressive sound. Piastri even joked about the latter on stage: “Hopefully everyone’s ears are still working!” It, just like the iconic cars themselves, was met with loud applause.

Yes, it is true that the show needs to be good and that the new fanbase may have a greater appetite for action, regardless of the underlying reasons – to see something new every 10 seconds, much like scrolling through Instagram or TikTok. But that does not necessarily point towards electrification or yo-yo racing. In fact, it feels somewhat like a reverse argument to defend the current regulations – which are partly the result of what OEMs have pushed for.

FIA reacts: a V8 would certainly not scare off ‘Netflix fans’

If F1 were to opt for, let's say, a V8 running on sustainable fuels with a smaller electrical component for the next rules cycle – and if it can carry over the strong aspects of the current regulations (smaller cars and lower minimum weight) – then the show could only improve. And not just for purists, but most likely for the entire fanbase.

That point was also confirmed by Tombazis when he was asked whether the sound of a V8 might scare off the “Netflix fanbase”.

“No. It's always easy to reduce noise if you have too much. The opposite is more of a tricky one – to increase if you have too little. When we had previous cars running occasionally at a grand prix on Sunday morning, they do provoke a certain level of feeling amongst a lot of people, and I don't think that will be a problem.”

That is precisely what has been seen again in recent weeks: during the Monaco Historic Grand Prix, demo runs at F1 weekends, or indeed the McLaren event in Miami.

The reality, however, is that implementing far-reaching changes in the short term is not possible, not least because of the investments made by teams and manufacturers in the current regulations. As a result, it will take time and it is logical that the current rules are heavily defended.

But if the past few weeks have made one thing clear, it is that a different direction for the future does not necessarily have to face any opposition, neither divide the fanbase – regardless of the age or background of the newer audience that is more than welcome in this beautiful sport.